What is surrealism?
Surrealism was an art movement which manifested in Europe between WWI and WWII and continues to influence many artists today. Artists during this time united the conscious with the unconscious, creating dream-like or fantasy images. Surrealist artists such as Salvador Dali drew heavily on Sigmund Freud and his interpretations of dreams, believing that imagination was genius. Click on the link above to read more about the Surrealist Art Movement. 

Surrealist Artists

Odilon Redon

​Salvador Dali

Symbolism 

Artworks from all time periods and styles use symbolism to express further meaning. A symbol is an image that represents something that may not be obvious. For example, to most people when viewing an ant in an artwork, it may symbolize disgust, strength, or even codependency. However, when an ant is shown in an artwork it really symbolizes destruction, defeat, and homicide. Check out the links below for symbols and their meanings.  

                    Your Mission:                                Mendola's  Sketch Video & Ex.

You will be creating a surrealist, charcoal drawing using symbolism. Your goal is to make an artwork that does not necessarily make sense when someone looks at it first glance; the viewer does a double take and questions what they are seeing. 
                                                  REQUIREMENTS:
  • An appropriate body part (fingers, heart, brain, eyeball, feet, rib cage) 
  • 2 + symbols (see Symbols and Meanings websites)
  • Background or Setting 
  • Complete Range of Values (9 Steps)  
You will need a completed, full page, value drawing of your idea with all of the requirements.
​This sketch must show EXACTLY how you want your charcoal drawing to look so it can be transferred onto charcoal paper.


​Rubrics:
surrealism_sketchbook_rubric_.docx
File Size: 309 kb
File Type: docx
Download File
You will be graded twice for this project since there are technically two parts. The first grade will be based solely on the sketchbook drawing assignment and the 2 questions that must be answered along with your sketch. The second grade will be the final charcoal drawing. As long as part 1 is completed on time and follows the requirements, your sketch will be able to be transferred onto the charcoal paper for part 2 and all you need to do is add value. This project is open-ended but does require research, thinking, and planning, and therefore will count as your midterm grade. Both parts will be worth 100 points each, so take your time, put your best efforts into your work, and have fun!